St. Louis Cardinals Hot Stove: 4 Under-the-Radar FA, Trade Targets

Asdrubal Cabrera, INF

Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports

The St. Louis Cardinals already have one shortstop who’s a product of the Cleveland Indians’ excellent Latin American operations. Trouble is, the 33-year-old Jhonny Peralta is past his prime. Asdrubal Cabrera, however, is 30 and just might have some life offensively and defensively.

Cabrera hit 15 homers and drove in 58 last year, most of them coming in the Tampa Bay Rays’ vacuous Tropicana Field. I’m not saying Cabrera would necessarily be a replacement for Peralta. I can see a platoon situation that could help boost both players’ plate production in 2016. Cabrera also has some experience at second base as recently as 2014, when the Tribe traded at the deadline to the Washington Nationals.

Four teams, including the Rays and San Diego Padres, are already in on Cabrera. The appeal is not just his potential offensive production. It’s also is his low cost relative to the only other decent free agent shortstop, Ian Desmond. Given the sound infrastructure Cabrera would be joining at Busch Stadium, the veteran infielder would be in the best position to succeed with the St. Louis Cardinals.

Next: Mark Trumbo, 1B